International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 4 Issue 4, June 2020 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

Existence of Social Media in Pandemic: Boon or Bane

Gurpreet Kaur
Research Scholar, Desh Bhagat University, Amloh, Punjab, India

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Gurpreet Kaur

This article aims to highlight the role and accountability of media and social "Existence of Social Media in Pandemic:
networking sites in the pandemic situation. In the contemporary world, where Boon or Bane"
everything is being advanced, the role and position of media and social Published in
networking sites have also been changed and become more strong. The year International Journal
2020 has marked its name in history due to the lockdown and closing of all the of Trend in Scientific
borders and states. This kind of lockdown has never ever been happened in Research and
the society and in the world. This is due to the virus namely Corona Virus, due Development
to which this type of situation has occurred. Now, in such hard time, the role of (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456- IJTSRD30849
media has also increased. Their role is just not to protect the life of people but 6470, Volume-4 |
also ensure that no wrong information be shared with the people which Issue-4, June 2020, pp.30-33, URL:
resulted in misleading the folk. Along with that, the role of media is to be the www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd30849.pdf
safeguard of the society and help the authorities to know the position of
people living in countryside and urban areas. Hence, this article would try to Copyright © 2020 by author(s) and
analyze the role played by media and tries to find out whether social International Journal of Trend in Scientific
networking and media are boon for the society or bane in this alarming Research and Development Journal. This
situation. is an Open Access article distributed
under the terms of
KEYWORDS: Media, alarming, lockdown, safeguard, countryside, boon, bane the Creative
Commons Attribution
License (CC BY 4.0)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by
/4.0)

INTRODUCTION Review of Literature

At present, everyone knows that world has turned upside
down. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is running
rampant across the globe, and there does not seem to be an
end in sight. Well, it is all about history from where it started
and how it has spread. In the face of COVID-19, social media
is a great way for individuals and communities to stay
connected even while physically separated. The main focus
of it on how the social media help people to know all about it
and how one is playing across the digital landscape.
Objective
This paper tries to

analyze the role of media.

find out the accountability of media and social
networking sites

reality check the situation of media and social
networking sites in this contemporary world.

How can different media industries and channels for
mass communication promote adaptive responses to
foster positive health attitudes and adherence to
preventive measures?

How media impact the dynamics in the private domain
(e.g. strengthen family bonds versus domestic conflict
and violence)?

Michael Mandiberg in his book 'The Social Media
Reader'1, wrote how access to tools and invention of
new media forms permit other media to make their own
media. New creation has added new ways to opt new
methods of sharing data from one place to another in no
time. From sharing views to photos or from sharing your
location to your picture all the things have been changed
and transmitted now. However, the author also noticed
that these things are useless without audience.

'Spreadable Media: Creating Value and Meaning in a
Networked Culture'2 wonderful book by Henry Jenkins,
Sam Ford and Joshua Green. The authors try to examine
the nature of audience envolved, the way one creates
value and the flow of transtition of news rapidly. It also
delineates the elements that make the content more
separable and also highlights the emerging media
business models in some circumstances. Hence, this
book is about the manyfold ways that content circulates
today, from top down to bottom up, from grassroot to
commercial . This book also elaborate the message that
spreading is essential to make the things alive.

The Pandemic of Social Media Panic Travels Faster than
the COVID-19 Outbreak3 a well elaborated research

Research Methodology 1 Mandiberg Michael, 'The Social Media Reader' published

The method used to write this article is based on both type of by New York University Press,2012
method that is primary and secondary. Primary data is 2 Jenkins Hnry, Ford , Green Joshua, 'Spreadable Media:

obtained by observing social networking sites and Creating Value and Meaning in a Networked Culture
techniques whereas secondary data is obtained from books, published by New York University Press,2013
articles and journals. The research is analytical based and is 3 Depoux Anneliese, Martin Sam, Karafillakis Emilie , Preet

of descriptive type. Raman , Wilder Annelies and Larson Heidi write an article

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
paper to know that how with the spreading of virus, the
information or rumours too are spreading quickly.
Today, there is not only a need to control or combat the
spreading of virus but also we need to combat the
pandemic of social media panic. In addition to it, this
book also tries to find the ways or methods to stop the
spreading of this panic, perceptions, attitudes and
behaviour around COVID-19 and also need to enhance
public trust in public health measures.
Social Media
With the advent of social media in the 21st century, not only
we get the latest updates, but we’re also using platforms like
Facebook and Twitter to provide personal and business
updates. For businesses, this means leveraging social media
to support employees and customers like never before. For
the government, it means doing its best to efficiently share
factual and up-to-date information.
Let's see how Government, companies and individuals are
sharing information and interacting with each others on
Social media since the lockdown has begun.
Digital world and COVID-19
In general, Social Media has plethora of benefits as it helps to
rampant spreading of news which sometime prove beneficial
or sometime drawback for the society. Firstly, the question
which arise in the mind is that what impact social media has
in the society. Is it bane or boon for the society?
Role played by Social Platforms during COVID-19
A source of information
It is unbelievable or sometimes seems like a dream that now
we can get information as we never had in our past.
Nowadays, we had more real time information available at
our fingertips in the face of a worldwide event. Such
information can help keep us safe, providing us with a better
understanding of what is occurring and how it might impact
us and those we love. Yet, social media can also spread
falsehoods, including miracle preventative measures, false
claims about the implementation of martial law, conspiracy
theories, and more. However to find trusted sources of
information regarding COVID-19 is extremely important.
Social media companies are working to combat
misinformation on corona virus
At a time where many of us are grappling for as much
information as we can get our hands on, the public is
especially susceptible to false and sometimes hazardous
claims, which are then passed on to others. According to a
new PEW Research Center report, about half of Americans
say they’ve seen made-up news about the corona virus.
What are trustworthy and untrustworthy sources ?
It is a fact that we came across many problems and
numerous information due to the access of excess social
networking sites. It is very hard to find which news is true
and which is untrue. Hence, it is essential to identify the fact.
For that the best way to ensure the news is accurate is to
check original sources and make sure that
on" The Pandemic of Social Meddia panic travels faster
than the COVID-19 outbreak published by centre Virchow,
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London
,UK
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD30849 | Volume – 4 | Issue – 4
A. those sources are indeed trustworthy, and
B. the information was relayed accurately. Just because
someone claims to have learned something from a
reliable source doesn’t mean they’re relaying that
information accurately.
If you’re the one presenting information, whether on behalf
of a business or your personal account, it’s your
responsibility to cite and fact-check your own sources. Be
wary of using verbiage that is alarmist or absolute. There are
still so many unknowns about the virus, and nobody is sure
what the coming weeks and months hold. It’s always best to
be cognizant of this and avoid unnecessary bold statements.
An influence on public response to the outbreak
Billions of people are free to publicly share their opinions on
COVID-19 across various social platforms. In the past few
weeks, we’ve seen individuals, organizations, and businesses
use social media to spread awareness of COVID-19, as well as
the public actions that can be taken.
Distinct ways through which social media has influenced the
public since the virus reached epidemic and pandemic levels:
Social distancing and home quarantine are trending
Until a few weeks ago, many of us hadn’t even heard of
“social distancing,” which refers to staying at least 6 feet
away from others to help prevent the spread of infection.
Now, social media users, from friends and family to
celebrities and governments, are regularly calling for social
distancing.
Boasting and shaming panic buying
Many people have been excessively purchasing household
goods, sanitization products, and food in fear that necessities
will no longer be accessible — just like they do when there is
a hurricane or some other natural disaster. This over-
purchasing has become so commonplace that social media
users have coined a phrase to describe it: panic buying.
On social, panic buying is being discussed in two distinct
ways: 1) people are posting about their own panic buying,
showing images of carts filled with toilet paper, water
bottles, and frozen meals; and 2) people are posting pictures
of empty shelves or other people’s carts as a way to shame
supposed panic buyers.
A marketing platform
The COVID-19 outbreak presents a defining moment for
many brands in how they choose to market their product.
Unfortunately, we’re going to see people who are selling
snake oil-type products (think essential oils claiming to
provide immunity). Some businesses will prey on mass
hysteria, especially businesses putting extra dollars behind
social media ads, selling products like hand sanitizer and
facemasks (despite frequent claims from health
organizations that facemasks are not effective if you don’t
have the disease).
Popular hashtags popping up related to social distancing and
quarantining include #socialdistancing, #quarantineandchill,
and #mypandemicsurvivalplan.
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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
Socially responsible product marketing
Despite the uptick in alarmist-focused media spend, there
are many businesses providing powerful and empathetic
responses to COVID-19. The main responsibility of brands
right now is to provide for the safety and well being of their
employees and customers. That said, there are certain
business models that lend themselves particularly well to
providing relief for many people during this time.
Streaming services, for instance, are providing
entertainment for those bored at home. Markets and
restaurants with delivery services are able to safely provide
groceries and meals to those unable to venture out. Online
courses are being offered for free and at reduced prices. All
in all, we’re seeing many businesses do the best they can to
ease the fear and discomfort being experienced by so many.
A powerful way to bring positivity to a scary time
No platform is perfect. But where there has been
misinformation and fear on social media, there’s also been
an abundance of vital, lifesaving information, connection
with others, and global unity. The ability to share
experiences with family and friends helps to combat both
literal and emotional isolation while also reminding us that
we’re all in this together.
Social Media: Boon
Social Media is considered one of the best way to share news
in the present scenario. It proof blissful when one want to
share news which is serious and need to spread as soon as
possible. Let's take an example of Covid-19. The news of this
virus spread quickly not only on state level but also on
national and inter-national level. Social media gives platform
and it is certain that news reach at the place where it needs
to reach. To elaborate, from number of people infected to
how many people die and which country is the most infected
and which state has been the most infected or has become
hot spot of spreading the virus.
Educate the people: Social media help in educating the folk
regarding this deadly and the most dangerous virus. It
educates the people about the symptoms of COVID-19. It can
be said that by educating it helps to save the life of people
and working for the sake and safety of the society.
media so that public can keep themselves busy and do not
feel bored.
According to John Hopkins Medicine4, the act of social
distancing involves “deliberately increasing the physical
space between people to avoid spreading illness.”
Enhance Creativity
For individuals, the same axe translates into using social
media to self-present – that can turn into the very
narcissistic self-exposure that we sometimes see on social
media versus using social media to connect with friends,
family and likeminded others for socialization and emotional
support.
Fundraisers organized and distributed on social help
raise money for those in need
COVID-19 has put many people, especially the elderly, those
with disabilities, working parents who are losing childcare,
and those who are losing their jobs, in challenging situations.
Communities are rallying together to support organizations
and individuals by sharing fundraisers with large audiences
on social media.
People are also taking to social media to offer support in any
way they can, such as picking up groceries for individuals
who are unable to leave home or sharing information on
how to support local businesses who are struggling to pay
their employees.
People are posting pictures and videos to share their
experiences
Posts from people quarantined at home have ranged from
videos of living room yoga to pictures of snugly pets who are
thrilled their owners are with them 24/7. There have also
been posts acknowledging how difficult and frightening this
time is. Posts have ranged from commiseration to
overwhelming support — neighbourhood rainbow hunt to
this “mental health check-in” on a Facebook5 neighbours
group:

Provide Safety tips: Safety tips are the another enormous

thing which are now easily spreading through social media.
Social distancing is the key factor which is the basic and
prominent concept to safe the society from coronavirus .
This message rapidly spread among people through digital
world.

Share messages: Digital landscape not only help in

spreading awareness but also share numerous messages
which assist people how to live healthy, psychologically free
from the stress by staying at home. The best thing that has
happened across a variety of social media platforms is the
number of professional athletes, celebrities, and influencers
that have spoken up urging people to take everything they
see about COVID-19 seriously and follow suit. Whether it’s
Tom Hanks who suffered from the illness himself or other
high-profile figures quarantining themselves, people are
4 John Hopkins University, Maryland, Health Conditions,
more inclined to listen when one of these figures speaks out
or shares a message through social media. Moreover, many and diseases, Coronavirus ,social distancing and self-
celebrities' also try to entertain the public through social quarantine
5 post on a facebook

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
These are just a couple of the millions of examples where
people have shown their support and empathy on social
media. And while tone and delivery vary, the message from
one user to another remains constant: you are not alone in
this, there are silver linings to be enjoyed, and it’s okay to
experience this in any number of ways.
Social Media: Bane
No doubt, social media has influenced people the most.
Somehow, it also spread wrong doers and information to the
people which consequently have harmful effect. The biggest
example of it was of Kitty Bakery6, in which rumour was
spread that a worker of kitty bakery was examined positive
with corona virus. However, this news spread rampant and
people stop buying product of kitty bakery. The news was
just rumour and now the company has filed a defamation
case against a person who has posted this news on social
media. Let's see how the social networking sites sometime
become curse and create chaos in the society.
Misinformation during outbreaks
We are facing an unprecedented crisis of public
understanding. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-
general of the World Health Organization (WHO), noted that
urgent measures must now be taken to address the
“coronavirus infodemic7.”
This infodemic compromises outbreak response and
increases public confusion about who and what information
sources to trust; generates fear and panic due to unverified
rumours and exaggerated claims; and promotes xenophobic
and racist forms of digital vigilantism and scapegoating.
Spread of Rumours
Rumours are a second form of misinformation. One popular
conspiracy theory held that the virus was developed as a
means to wage a biological war against China. In China, a
rumour spread that bio-weapons research in a Wuhan
laboratory resulted in the genetic engineering of COVID-19
that was then released. Such rumours may have
even jeopardized the working relationship between Western
scientists and their Chinese counterparts searching for a
COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 pandemic dissipates. Media can play a great role
to aware the society and secure the public for its betterment.
This could only possible if it is being done with full
accountability and surveillances.
References
[1] Larson HJ. The biggest Pandemic risk? Viral
misinformation. Nature 2018;567(7727)
[2] Wilson ME, Chen LH. Travelers give Wings to Novel
Coronavirus(2019-nCoV). J Travel Med 2020
[3] The L. Covid-19: Fighting Panic with information.
Lancet 2020
[4] H. A. Carneiro, E. Mylonakis Google trends: a web-
based tool for real-time surveillance of disease
outbreaks, Clin. Infect. Dis., 49 (10) (2009)
[5] Mandiberg Michael, 'The Social Media Reader'
published by New York University Press, 2012
[6] Jenkins Hnry, Ford, Green Joshua, 'Spreadable Media:
Creating Value and Meaning in a Networked Culture
published by New York University Press,2013
[7] Depoux Anneliese, Martin Sam, Karafillakis Emilie,
Preet Raman, Wilder Annelies and Larson Heidi write
an article on" The Pandemic of Social Meddia panic
travels faster than the COVID-19 outbreak published by
centre Virchow, London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine, London ,UK
[8] The role of social media during a pandemic by Jackson
Kushner, published on Mar 25, 2020
[9] #HECprof Kristine De Valck HEC Paris Business School
(@HECParis) April 5, 2020;
#Covid19 pic.twitter.com/YPAQx4iEx3
[10] John Hopkins University, Maryland, Health Conditions,
and diseases, Coronavirus ,social distancing and self-
quarantine

Untrue, exaggerated and dubious medical claims and hoaxes

are other common forms of misinformation. Various
unproven natural and traditional remedies were proffered as
cures to both Ebola and COVID-19, such as drinks that
contained mint and spices like saffron and turmeric that
spread in Iran through Twitter.

To conclude, I would close my statement by saying that

today, social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram,
have become primary sources of information. They are also
vehicles for fake news and disinformation. During a crisis
like the COVID-19 pandemic, how should social media be
mastered and employed in a responsible way? How media
need to work ? Governments, public health authorities and
digital corporations need to not only promote digital literacy,
but combat ways in which the impact of social media may be
spawning an irreversible post-truth age, even after the

6 Situated in outer skirts of Ludhiana, news on facebook

7coronavirus-how-who-leading-social-media-fightagainst

accessed at www.scmp.com

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